It works fine on Canon's smaller format DSLRs, but its focal length range makes no sense except on full-frame. Use this lens on full-frame, and use it when you need to travel light, but use any kit lens like the 18-55mm IS instead for a much more practical range on small format DSLRs.

If traveling light, consider also the current Canon EF 28mm f/1.8, which has better and faster optics, and is even a little smaller and lighter.

Used on older full-frame DSLRs like the Canon 5D Mark II, it has awful optics, loaded with color fringes. Used on a modern camera like the Canon 5D Mark III, which corrects these color fringes in-camera when a lens profile is loaded, its optics are surprisingly competitive, making this a great lens today for traveling light with great image and ergonomic quality.

Compatibility and Formats

This lens is optimized for 35mm film and full-frame digital, and of course works on all 1.3x and 1.6x Canon cameras.

Everything feels and works great, especially the zoom ring, which is the front third of the lens. Even the stopper against which your hand lies on the zoom ring rotates with the zoom ring, while the filter thread stays put.

Falloff is visible wide-open at the wider end, and otherwise it's invisible.

With Peripheral Illumination Correction (an option in the Canon 5D Mark II and others), it's not a problem. My Canon 5D Mark II, as of firmware 2.0.4, has this data inside it, unlike for many other Canon lenses.

I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a flat gray target and presenting it against a gray background.

If you're shooting older full frame DSLRs or shooting test targets in your mom's basement, use the Canon 28mm f/1.8, which is sharper than any of Canon's ultrawide zooms.

While I'd pass on this lens for older full-frame DSLRs, on my 5D Mark III , its low weight, fantastic ergonomics and correctable optics just made it my new favorite.

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